Closed
Chiquito
Their signature: Margarita
Why your local needs you
A bar or restaurant is someone's first job, a regular order for local suppliers, the place you go for birthdays and the reason a high street still feels alive after six o'clock.
Costs have climbed on every side: wages, energy, food, business rates and VAT. UKHospitality says three hospitality businesses have closed every day since the start of 2026. When a venue closes, the staff, the regulars and the nights out go with it. The best thing any of us can do is simple: go out and go local.
The venues we've lost
Every venue here poured for Cocktail Week and has since closed for good. Thank you to every one of them. Pick a town to see its venues.
Manchester Cocktail Week
7 closed
Closed
Garten Bar
Their signature: Lychee Martini
Closed
House of Fu
Their signature: Spicy Margarita
Closed
Maya
Their signature: Vimto Daiquiri
Closed
Namii
Their signature: Saigon Sunset
Closed
Simmons Bar
Closed
Soots Pasta
Their signature: Tomato Martini
Perth Cocktail Week
7 closed
Closed
Sandeman
Their signature: Electric Lemonade
Closed
The Bank Bar
Their signature: Mango Daiquiri
Closed
The Mexican
Their signature: El Mexicano Margarita
Closed
Brewdog
Their signature: Brewdog Bramble Slushie
Closed
Giraffe Cafe
Their signature: Giraffe Death by Chocolate
Closed
Nicolls Steakhouse
Their signature: White Peach Sangria
Closed
St John's Bar & Restaurant
Their signature: Green Velvet
Cardiff Cocktail Week
5 closed
Closed
Ballers Pizza
Their signature: Pepino Spritzer
Closed
Neighbourhood Kitchen & Cocktails
Their signature: Strawberry Spicy Margarita
Closed
Revolucion de Cuba Cardiff
Their signature: Chile Verde Daiquiri
Closed
Revolution
Their signature: Blank Canvas
Closed
The Queer Emporium CIC
Sunderland Cocktail Week
5 closed
Closed
808 Bar & Kitchen
Their signature: Watermelon & Peach Margarita
Closed
Bar Justice
Closed
Prego Bar and Eatery
Their signature: Prego Gin N Juice
Dundee Cocktail Week
4 closed
Closed
The Maker
Their signature: Rhubarb & Ginger Sour
Closed
The Tayberry
Their signature: Tayberry Margarita
Closed
The White Goose
Their signature: Mojito
Nottingham Cocktail Week
4 closed
Closed
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Their signature: Endless Summer
Closed
Mollis
Their signature: Gochujang Tequila, Pineapple, Tomato, Lime
Closed
Six Richmond House
Their signature: Green Tea Cooler
Stirling Cocktail Week
4 closed
Closed
King Cons
Their signature: Autumn Warmer
Closed
Mimi's
Their signature: Vanilla Aperol Mule
Closed
The Corn Exchange
Their signature: Berry Spritz
Closed
TJ's
Their signature: Hugo Spritz
Coventry Cocktail Week
3 closed
Closed
Slug & Lettuce
Their signature: Tang-Fastic
Closed
The Town Wall Tavern
Their signature: The Donkey
Closed
Wing Kingz
Their signature: Summer Sling
Dublin Cocktail Week
2 closed
Closed
Hyde
Their signature: Smoky Paloma
Closed
Ohana Tiki Bar
Their signature: Hula Hula
Leeds Cocktail Week
2 closed
Closed
Point Blank Shooting
Sheffield Cocktail Week
2 closed
Closed
ASK Italian
Their signature: Sarti Spritz
Closed
Firepit Rocks
Their signature: Fizzy Melon
Liverpool Cocktail Week
1 closed
Closed
Tempest on Tithebarn
Their signature: Honey I Elderflowered the Marg
Newcastle Cocktail Week
1 closed
Closed
Bar+Block
Their signature: Popstar Martini
St Andrews Cocktail Week
1 closed
Closures come from Google Maps, which lists each of these venues as permanently closed (checked every month), and from venues we've been told have closed. Has one reopened, moved or changed its name? Email hello@cocktail-week.com and we'll update it.
What Cocktail Week does for hospitality
Cocktail Week started in Dundee in 2022 to get people back into local bars. We think of it as a footfall campaign rather than a festival. The bars and restaurants host and pour and we bring the customers.
Real footfall
Wristband holders plan their ten days around the line-up, so venues meet people who have never been through the door, often at a quieter time of year.
Money in the till
Every signature cocktail is bought at the bar, so the money goes straight into the venue's own till, along with whatever else people order while they're in.
Awareness
Printed guides, the website, social ads, emails, big screens and local press put every venue taking part in front of people across the town.
140,000+wristbands sold, and over £10m added to local hospitality since 2022
In the venues' own words
The perfect week to get people really exploring the venues the city has to offer and a lot of talented dedicated bar staff. Really a great advertisement for places that aren't just the same chain bars.
Mojo, general manager, after Sheffield Cocktail Week 2024The Newcastle Cocktail week was a fantastic hit, it was great exposure for restaurants and local businesses and a chance for guests to visit new venues and try some delicious cocktails.
Chaophraya, assistant business manager, after Newcastle Cocktail Week 2024Sunderland is such a vibrant city with a great hospitality scene! Schemes like Cocktail Week are great for helping businesses thrive!
My Delhi, head of l&d, after Sunderland Cocktail Week 2025Cocktail Week brought a fantastic buzz to Dublin, it encouraged people to explore new venues, try creative drinks and support local bars. For us at Her Upstairs, it was an incredible opportunity to showcase our cocktail menu and connect with some new guests.
Her Upstairs, sales & marketing executive, after Dublin Cocktail Week 2025Inverness Cocktail Week is a fantastic boost for the city’s hospitality scene. The atmosphere throughout the week was brilliant and it’s great to see events like this helping showcase Inverness as a vibrant destination for food and drink.
Highlander, operations manager, after Inverness Cocktail Week 2026We were delighted to have been involved in Liverpool Cocktail Week for the past few years. It's been truly fantastic to see the city come alive, with everyone showing such amazing support for the local bars and the city's incredible hospitality scene
Chamber 36, general operations manager, after Liverpool Cocktail Week 2025
How you can help
- Go midweekWeekends are busy. A Tuesday or Wednesday visit goes further.
- Try somewhere newPick the bar you always walk past and finally go in.
- Book, then turn upCan't make it? Cancel, so someone else can have the table.
- Leave a reviewA kind review takes a minute and helps the next person choose them.
- Bring the groupBirthdays, leaving dos and catch ups. Book them local.
- Buy a gift cardChristmas sorted and money through the door when it's needed.
- Back the VAT cutSign the #VATsTheProblem petition for a 10% VAT rate on hospitality. Sign it here.
- Support the peopleGive to The Ben, which looks after people who work in Scottish hospitality. Donate.
Why VAT matters
Cut hospitality VAT
In the UK
In the UK, VAT on eating and drinking out is 20%. The campaign points out that France, Spain and Italy charge 10% on hospitality.
The #VATsTheProblem campaign, led by chef Tom Kerridge and backed by UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping, is asking for a 10% rate for hospitality. More than 400,000 people signed its petition before it was handed in at Downing Street on 14 October 2026.
The Budget on 28 October 2026 did not cut it, so the campaign carries on. We're behind it.
Sign the petition20%→10%
VAT on UK hospitality now, and what the #VATsTheProblem campaign is asking for.
In Ireland
On 1 July 2026 Ireland cut VAT on food served in restaurants, cafés and pubs from 13.5% to 9%. Drinks are still charged at 23%.
It helps, but nothing helps a venue like a full room.
13.5%→9%
VAT on food in Irish restaurants, cafés and pubs since 1 July 2026.
The Ben: Scotland's hospitality charity
When a venue closes, the people who worked there feel it first. The Ben (the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland) has looked after people in Scotland's drinks and hospitality industry since 1864.
It gives financial, social and emotional support to current and former workers anywhere in Scotland who have worked in the industry full time for two years. That includes one-off emergency grants, help with household and utility bills, mental health support, white goods and furnishings and mobility help. Every application is assessed in confidence.
🤝 Help for hospitality people
Work or worked in Scottish hospitality and struggling? Apply to The Ben or call 0141 353 3596.
The Ben is registered in Scotland, charity number SC005604.
Support hospitality in your town
Every town we've run, with the venues that have closed and the ones you can still visit.
BelfastCardiff5CheltenhamCorkCoventry3DerryDublin2Dundee4DunfermlineInvernessLeeds2Liverpool1Manchester7Newcastle1Nottingham4Perth7ReadingSheffield2St Andrews1Stirling4Sunderland5York1
The number is how many venues have closed.
Questions
Which venues that took part in Cocktail Week have closed?
49 venues that took part in Cocktail Week since 2022 are now listed as permanently closed, in 15 towns and cities. Pick a town on this page to see them.
How can I support local hospitality?
Go out locally, midweek if you can. Try somewhere new, book and turn up, leave a review, bring your group and buy gift cards from local venues. In the UK you can also sign the #VATsTheProblem petition for a 10% VAT rate on hospitality.
What does Cocktail Week do for hospitality?
For ten days in each town, wristband holders plan their nights around the venues taking part, so venues meet new customers. Every cocktail is bought at the bar, so the money goes into the venue's own till and the guide, website, ads, screens and local press put every venue in front of people across the town.
What is the #VATsTheProblem campaign?
A campaign led by chef Tom Kerridge, with UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping, asking the UK Government to cut VAT on hospitality from 20% to 10%. More than 400,000 people had signed its petition by October 2026. The Budget on 28 October 2026 did not cut the rate and the campaign is carrying on.
What is the VAT rate for restaurants in Ireland?
Since 1 July 2026, food served in restaurants, cafés and pubs in Ireland is charged at 9% VAT, down from 13.5%. Drinks are still charged at 23%.
Is there help for hospitality workers in Scotland?
Yes. The Ben, Scotland's drinks and hospitality charity (SC005604), gives financial, social and emotional support to current and former workers anywhere in Scotland who have worked in the industry full time for two years, including one-off emergency grants and help with bills. You can apply online or call 0141 353 3596.
Ten days. One wristband. Your town's bars.
Find the next Cocktail Week near you.